In Photos: Blue Origin's New Shepard 2.0 Aces Maiden Test Flight

Liftoff!

Credit: Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company Blue Origin performed the first successful test flight of its next-gen New Shepard suborbital vehicle on Dec. 12, 2017. Read our full story here and check out photos from the mission here. This Image: Blue Origin's New Shepard 2.0 vehicle launches from a West Texas launch pad during its first suborbital test flight, on Dec. 12, 2017.

Into the Blue

Credit: Blue Origin

New Shepard rises into the Texas skies.

Crew Capsule Separation

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard crew capsule separates from the booster.

Coming Down

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard propulsion module comes back down to Earth for a pinpoint landing.

Nearly There

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard 2.0 booster approaches the landing pad on Dec. 12, 2017.

Successful Landing

Credit: Blue Origin

The propulsion module's engines kick up dust as the vehicle nears the ground.

Touchdown!

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard booster aces its landing.

Floating Down to Earth

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard crew capsule floats back to the West Texas desert after a clean separation from the propulsion module.

Safe Landing

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard crew capsule lands safely in the West Texas desert using two parachutes and a retrothrust system.

Liftoff!

Credit: Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company Blue Origin performed the first successful test flight of its next-gen New Shepard suborbital vehicle on Dec. 12, 2017. Read our full story here and check out photos from the mission here. This Image: Blue Origin's New Shepard 2.0 vehicle launches from a West Texas launch pad during its first suborbital test flight, on Dec. 12, 2017.

Into the Blue

Credit: Blue Origin

New Shepard rises into the Texas skies.

Crew Capsule Separation

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard crew capsule separates from the booster.

Coming Down

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard propulsion module comes back down to Earth for a pinpoint landing.

Nearly There

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard 2.0 booster approaches the landing pad on Dec. 12, 2017.

Successful Landing

Credit: Blue Origin

The propulsion module's engines kick up dust as the vehicle nears the ground.

Touchdown!

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard booster aces its landing.

Floating Down to Earth

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard crew capsule floats back to the West Texas desert after a clean separation from the propulsion module.

Safe Landing

Credit: Blue Origin

The New Shepard crew capsule lands safely in the West Texas desert using two parachutes and a retrothrust system.